Chapter 336
Chapter 336
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.70 – Why the Knight's Hatred is Justified (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lee Han opened his mouth as if he had tentatively accepted her explanation.
"Anyway, I get that you two hate each other."
"...It's not that simple."
Isis sounded disappointed, as if she had been ready to give a full history lecture, but he had no interest in history lessons—he just wanted to know about the current situation. He asked again what significance the prince's birthday held.
And then.
"I told you last year around this time. About why Arthur's existence is so crucial."
"...?"
"You already forgot?"
"I tend to only remember what's necessary..."
"You rotten bastard...! I told you! My child is the bridge connecting Pendragon and Britannia!"
"Yeah... something like that?"
"...You bastard."
Isis wore an expression like she'd rather die than deal with this, but her explanation continued.
"My son Arthur is the one and only child who has inherited the blood of both the Pendragon royal family and the Britannian royal family. That means his very existence provides a massive justification for easing the discord between Britannia and Pendragon."
In a monarchy, what mattered most in the end was 'blood'.
Especially if it was noble royal blood, which even the commoners acknowledged. And in the case of Pendragon blood, blessed by dragons, it was considered even more sacred.
The same went for...
"Britannia—they value their blood highly too."
In Britannia's case, the worship of their royals had persisted into the modern era, going even further.
In some ways, they might scrutinize bloodlines even more than Pendragon.
In that sense, the existence of the crown prince Arthur, who carried the blood of both royal houses, would provide perfect justification for uniting the two kingdoms.
Therefore.
"This banquet isn't just a debut for some kids. It's the first public appearance of the great king who will one day unite the South. So this banquet must succeed—without any incidents."
"......"
"You might think it's a trivial reason, but this is politics. Raising an army right now would be a mistake. The banquet cannot fail."
"...Yeah, I guess I can't quite wrap my head around it."
Lee Han nodded emphatically.
As if he were convinced.
But conviction was one thing...
"So how are you going to handle it? With all these不安 elements piling up, you're still going all the way?"
Lee Han asked.
About countermeasures for this incident.
For the record.
"I'm not handling it this time."
"......"
"I'll cooperate on catching the zealots, but I have no intention of meddling in politics. Want me to be honest? Lately, I've been thinking this kingdom is truly incompetent. How does a kingdom end up crawling with traitors?"
It wasn't just this once.
Look at all the people he'd taken down over the past year—how incompetent did a kingdom have to be for there to be so many collaborators with the zealots?
From commoners to merchants, and even nobles—a full spectrum of people aiding the Blood Crusaders. That's what Lee Han thought.
"It's weird hearing it from me, but this kingdom really could've collapsed anytime. Without me or the others, it might've actually been over. But how long am I supposed to keep stepping in? Honestly, I'd rather just focus on the zealots, but do I have to waste energy on these damn nobles too? They're like flies buzzing around me..."
Incompetent. That word perfectly described the current kingdom, and Lee Han clicked his tongue.
"Everyone has their shortcomings, I get that. But shouldn't a kingdom do better? Sis, sorry, but even loyalty has its limits, and I'm not asking for more rewards from you. Oh, and Ambrosia was already promised, so don't change the subject."
"...Damn you."
"So, is there anything wrong with what I said?"
"That's why you're damnable. Not a single word is wrong... You cheeky bastard, do you have to beat your sister with words like that?"
Rarely, Isis couldn't even refute him and just vented her frustration.
No, precisely, there was nothing to refute.
If he hadn't been there, the kingdom might not have fallen, but it would've faced crises on that level dozens more times.
Denying it would make her an ungrateful fool.
"Sigh... It's undeniable that the kingdom is heading toward ruin."
"......"
Seeing her admit her own failings like that left him flustered instead.
He'd expected her usual shameless attitude.
Maybe that's why.
He...
"...Why don't you just take the throne then."
Unconsciously let slip a rather bold statement.
"......"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying this because I want money or a title. If the current king is lacking, you should just stand at the top. ...If that offended you, I apologize."
"......"
"Hey, I said I'm sorry!"
Thinking her silence meant anger, Lee Han grumbled his apology, but she still held her tongue.
And then, soon...
"Ahahaha!"
"?"
...Isis burst into mad laughter.
As if she'd heard the funniest thing in the world.
Laughing without a shred of dignity or refinement, she looked like a country bumpkin.
It was that satisfying a laugh.
"Ha! Is my sworn brother trying to kill me by making my stomach ache? If that's the case, I'd praise you. You almost succeeded."
"Where's the funny part?"
"Everything. Talking about the throne like adopting a pet—it's hilarious, haha."
"...Are you saying I'm arrogant?"
"No, not that. You have every right to be arrogant."
For example.
"Sir Gannok mentioned it. That you're stronger than him. With that alone, you're now one of the top powerhouses in the South."
"You mean that elder from Modred?"
"Yes."
"...I'm still forty years younger than him, so of course I might be stronger..."
To that rebuttal.
"—He was the vice-commander of the White Dragon Knights and rose to the third of the South's Ten Swords. For reference, the one who held that third sword is now the leader of the Wolves of the Wilderness, also known as the Mercenary King."
"......"
With those firm words, he learned an unexpected background.
"You might not know, so to explain: the White Dragon Knights were once—no, they're called the strongest knight order in Pendragon history. They accepted anyone strong, regardless of origin, ethnicity, gender, race, or religion."
"Then the commander was...?"
"Obviously Sir Baltar. He's the first of the South's Ten Swords. ...Annoyingly enough."
"......"
"Now do you get it? Even with his age, Sir Gannok's skills haven't declined from his youth, and he said you're above him. That means your strength is now among the top in this kingdom. And if someone like you set your mind to it, overturning the palace would be entirely possible."
"......"
Lee Han was too busy blinking at the flood of new information to bask in the praise.
White Dragon Knights, South's Ten Swords—something so childish...
'Ah, like the Ten Supremes of the Martial World?'
Thinking in martial world terms made the childishness click, and he found it intriguing that he knew several of them.
Baltar and Gannok, of course, and the Mercenary King...
'One of my mercenary kids said he's that guy's disciple, right?'
A connection to one of his own students, no less.
Fate was amusing like that. Just as he was about to ask why Gannok, the third sword, outranked the Mercenary King as vice-commander.
"...But your true power is probably your 'people.' You have ties with Galahad and Lionel, Tristan and Modred, and even Offen and Guinevere. Plus a strong alliance with the guild coalition. If you truly backed me, seizing the throne wouldn't be an issue at all, hehe."
Isis smiled contentedly, as if just imagining it brought her joy, gazing at him with utmost approval.
However.
"But it can't be that way. No, at the very least, I must become queen with my own strength. So regrettably, I can't accept your help."
"...More romantic than I thought?"
She wouldn't borrow others' power because it wasn't truly her place?
Her words felt a bit...
"It's not that. When grasping power, do methods matter? They don't. However..."
"?"
"Unfortunately, I have a weakness."
"Weak...ness?"
"My weakness. My father... happens to be the one person who knows my one and only 'weakness.' That's why I must ascend the throne by the book. With that weakness, I can't rely on others' help or any clever tricks. Only the orthodox path is allowed..."
"......"
...It was unfamiliar.
Isis, the ever-confident woman, speaking weakly for the first time.
And the word 'weakness' oddly stuck in his mind.
Whatever it was...
'Must be a real problem.'
Sensitively, Lee Han didn't pry into her weakness or speculate.
Even close friends had boundaries, and he didn't need to know.
Instead.
"I don't know what it is, but hang in there."
"...Thank you."
"Not saying I'll help, though."
"...You cheeky one. Toying with people's emotions like that."
Isis narrowed her eyes irritably, but she didn't seem upset.
And so.
"Don't worry. I won't let your hands get stained with needless blood—I'll handle the kingdom's pests myself."
"Pretty confident, huh?"
"I have a hidden ace. And if worst comes to worst..."
Smoothly.
"I'll have to beg that insolent butler."
"......"
"Though I hope it doesn't come to that."
"...Wipe that smile off your face when you lie, would you?"
"Oh my?"
"'Oh my' what? Save the acting for someone else."
Lee Han clicked his tongue.
He knew what it meant for the butler—a former heresy inquisitor—to step in.
'That butler definitely specialized in something during his active days...'
—Exterminating the nine clans, was it?
"Eugh..."
...Lee Han hoped, if possible, that none of his disciples' families had even the slightest connection to them.